Under FSSAI lens, Venky’s cuts supply

Venky’s, a subsidiary of the Pune-based VH Group, one of Asia’s leading poultry companies, has scaled back supply of its processed chicken products after coming under FSSAI’s scanner.John Sarkar | TNN | July 28, 2015, 08:24 IST

Venky’s, a subsidiary of the Pune-based VH Group, one of Asia’s leading poultry companies, has scaled back supply of its processed chicken products after coming under FSSAI’s scanner.NEW DELHI: Venky's, a subsidiary of the Pune-based VH Group, one of Asia's leading poultry companies, has scaled back supply of its processed chicken products after coming under FSSAI's scanner. Apart from delivering to hundreds of meat retailers in the country, the company also supplies to Indian outlets of fast-food chains including KFC, McDonald's and Domino's.

Several retailers across the country that TOI spoke to said they have been facing supply shortage of Venky's meat products. "It has been around two months since they have stopped supplies," said a sales person from Green Chick, a popular retailer of meat-related products in New Delhi. Similar retailers in Mumbai said Venky's is struggling with distribution issues.

Venky's makes a huge range of processed chicken products that include nuggets, cutlets, popcorn and fingers. Applications for products approvals received by the FSSAI during January 30, 2013 and February 20, 2013 comprised a large range of Venky's products. As per the food regulator, Venky's crispy chicken burger patty and chicken Arabic style kofta did not make the cut in April.

To an emailed questionnaire, Dr Vijay Tijare, GM at Venky's India said, "We are following the EU Standards and Codex Standards for all our products. However, there appears to be some confusion with regard to the interpretation of the Codex Standards, and we are taking necessary action to clear the confusion and ensure compliance with the Codex standards."

India's poultry industry that includes broilers and eggs is valued at around $12 billion annually, according to the Domestic Industry and Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries. The VH Group, which also specializes in pharmaceutical products for both poultry and human usage, witnessed a turnover of around Rs 1,736 crore for the year ended March 31, 2014.

Starting with Maggi, the instant noodles made by Swiss food giant Nestle, the FSSAI has been cracking down on several domestic and international food companies in the country. In case of Nestle, it has been estimated that the move would lead to around Rs 320 crore worth of Maggi stocks being recalled. The regulator blacklisted many products including those by international coffee chain Tata Starbucks and a cereal by breakfast maker Kellogg's.